"This time… I won't lose."
That thought flashed through Arden's mind the moment he stepped forward, eyes burning with resolve.
"Skill Activated: [Lapeta's Impulse]", echoed in the air.
A burst of energy enveloped Arden's body.
His figure shimmered, blurred in space—almost untouchable.
Every movement — like a flash of light.
Every step — like thunder striking the ground.
Targus answered instantly.
"Skill Activated: [Blood of the Jotun]."
A blue aura exploded around his body.
His hair stood on end, engulfed by ancient flames.
The pressure around him grew so heavy, it felt like the earth itself might bow before his rage.
Two titans — one the embodiment of speed, the other of sheer power.
Their eyes locked.
No countdown. No hesitation.
Boom.
Time stopped existing — only the battle remained.
They clashed in the center of the arena.
A flash. A shockwave.
For a moment, their faces were just inches apart.
Eye to eye.
Neither blinked.
"Little fox," Targus muttered.
"Surpass your old limit. If you can't… just give up now."
Arden smiled.
"Don't worry. I will defeat you."
Targus laughed — and then slammed his axe-hammer down.
But Arden crouched instantly, dodging under the blow, and drove his fist straight into the Viking's stomach.
Targus didn't budge.
"If you hit like that," he growled, "you might as well surrender now."
He struck the ground, sending up a wave of stones and dust. Arden dodged again—
"Skill Activated: [Thunder Anchor]!"
The world compressed.
Arden's body was being dragged toward the weapon — like an invisible force had latched onto him.
Targus was already raising his axe, ready to end it.
But at the last second — just before the weapon connected — Arden pushed hard against the ground with both hands and launched himself backward.
The axe sliced through the air, missing him by inches, leaving a deep crater in the arena.
While Targus lost his balance, Arden darted in and activated a new skill.
"Skill Activated: [Fang of Deception]!"
His form flickered — disappeared.
A heartbeat later, he was right next to the scar on Targus's side — the Viking's weak spot.
Strike.
Another.
Then a flurry of attacks, each hitting precisely.
Targus was knocked back, staggered by the sudden burst.
"I knew I could dodge at the last second," Arden thought, regaining his stance.
"His second skill has a flaw — right before the attack hits, the pulling effect turns off. A tiny window… but it's there."
The arena trembled.
"I'm glad you got stronger," Targus rumbled, rolling his neck.
"But now… let's get serious."
He charged at full speed.
In a flash, he was in front of Arden again.
The axe-hammer swung.
Arden dodged to the side, only to spot — too late — a fist flying toward him.
He blocked — but the impact sent vibrations through his whole body.
Something cracked inside — ribs.
The blow flung him aside.
"Looks like Targus is finally going all out," Akito said from the sidelines.
"If that pretty boy with the axe wins, you're mine, babe," Kenshi smirked, glancing at Aurelia.
"If you were the last man on Earth, I still wouldn't be yours," she replied flatly, not even turning.
Elian nearly burst out laughing, covering his mouth.
But all eyes returned to the arena — the fight was shifting.
Arden stood, teeth clenched from the pain.
He barely raised his guard in time before Targus struck again.
First hit — blocked.
But the pain from the cracked ribs twisted his face — just for a second.
And that was enough.
Second strike — to the shoulder.
Third — midair, as Arden lost balance.
The axe-hammer crushed into his gut.
The air was knocked out of his lungs.
As his body flew, thoughts spun in his head:
"He's serious now… In that first combo, he faked the hammer to focus on his right hand. He's attacking smarter…"
Before he could even hit the ground—
A surge of energy.
Targus was on him again.
The strike missed — Arden rolled, countered with a low kick to the Viking's leg, then an uppercut to the face.
Blood spilled from Targus's nose.
"You little fox…" the Viking growled.
"I'll crush you… like I did the first time!"
His eyes filled with rage.
He lunged forward.
Tried to grab Arden — but Arden's hand shot up near his temple.
Targus swatted it away —
But it was a feint.
"Skill Activated: [Fang of Deception]"
A clean strike to the scarred side.
The Viking flinched, teeth clenched in pain.
He roared and began swinging wildly, like a beast cornered.
But Arden dodged each strike with precision, weaving through the arena like a shadow.
"If I counter now… he might trap me."
Arden assessed mid-dodge, leaping aside—
But too late.
Targus's massive hand caught his leg.
In the next moment, Arden was slammed into the ground.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
His body barely held together after the brutal slams.
He braced for another—
But it didn't come.
Both skills — [Lapeta's Impulse] and [Blood of the Jotun] — began to fade.
The light around them dimmed.
Only the fighters' breathing filled the silence.
Targus slowly raised his weapon.
His face — tired, but still wild with spirit.
He stepped forward.
Then another.
"Perfect…" Arden whispered. "Now's my chance."
He charged.
Both fighters — battered but unbroken — ran at each other like beasts heading for the final clash.
From the stands, it looked like everything slowed down.
Like a movie scene.
Akito watched, breath held, heart pounding as if he were in the fight himself.
At the final moment, Targus raised his axe-hammer for a finishing blow—
But Arden — like lightning — leapt up and landed on the weapon with both hands, gripping the handle tight.
"What the…?" Targus muttered.
Then—
A double kick to the Viking's ears.
Crunch.
Blood sprayed from Targus's ears.
His vision blurred. The world darkened.
Then came the combo.
While clinging to the weapon, Arden unleashed a storm of strikes—
Shoulders.
Neck.
Chest.
Each hit landing right on weak points.
Then — the final leap.
Arden soared and kicked Targus square in the jaw.
"Ugh!" the Viking choked.
He was thrown back.
Lifted off the ground.
And slammed onto the arena floor with a thunderous crash.
Dust rose into the air.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Then…
Blood dripped from Arden's mouth.
He clutched his chest.
His body ached.
Legs trembled.
"Is this… my limit…?"
"Damn it… I have to win…"
He staggered.
But stayed standing.
"…That," Akito said, rising from his seat, "…was incredible."
"Get up, Arden."
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!